Disrespect and abuse during facility-based childbirth and its sociodemographic determinants - A barrier to healthcare utilization in rural population.

CONTEXT: The provider-driven disrespect and abuse (DA) of women during childbirth is a marker for quality of maternal care and violation of basic human rights. AIMS: This study was done to assess prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of DA experienced during facility-based childbirth. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional, community-based study done in six villages in the district of Aligarh, north India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In all, 305 women who underwent facility-based childbirth were interviewed by pretested and structured questionnaire at home between 4 and 6 weeks postpartum period. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and bivariate regression analysis using SPSS 20.0 were used. RESULTS: A total of 257 (84.3%) of 305 women reported any form of DA. Nonconsented services (71.1%) and nonconfidential care (62.3%) were the most common types. Abandonment/neglect during childbirth was reported by 10.2% women, nondignified care by 9.2%, physical abuse by 5.9%, detention in the health facility by 3.3%, and discrimination by 3.9%. Women who had undergone vaginal birth [odds ratio (OR) 3.36; confidence interval (CI) 1.7-6.5], at public health facility (OR 2.65; CI 1.4-5.0), given care by providers other than doctors (OR 2.89; CI 1.5-5.5), who belonged to low socioeconomic status (OR 3.68; CI 1.4-9.7), and who did not decide place of delivery themselves (OR 4.49; CI 2.0-12.1) were more at risk of DA. Out of all females unwilling to attend facility in future, 93.8% reported experiencing DA. The association between any DA and decision to attend the facility in future was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: More than 8 of 10 women experienced any DA during facility-based childbirth. It can be a barrier to utilization of facility for childbirth. Preventing DA is important to improve quality of maternal care and institutional deliveries.

Iodine Deficiency in School Children in Aligarh District, India.

We carried out this study to assess iodine deficiency disorders among school children of 6-12 years age group in Aligarh district of India. The prevalence of goiter was 5.2%. Median Urinary Iodine Excretion level was 150 ug/L; 22.5% of students had biochemical iodine deficiency. 50.4% households were consuming adequately iodized salt.

Influence of behavioral determinants on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school going adolescents of Aligarh.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and the prevention of adult obesity will require prevention and management of childhood obesity. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and behavioral determinants of overweight and obesity in school going adolescents. A total of 660 adolescents from affluent and nonaffluent schools were taken. Overweight and obesity was defined as per World Health Organization 2007 growth reference. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Prevalence of both overweight and obesity was higher among males. Statistically significant difference was found in prevalence of overweight and obesity among affluent schools (14.8% and 8.2%) and nonaffluent schools (4.8% and 1.5%). Important determinants of overweight and obesity were increased consumption of fast food, low physical activity level and watching television for more than 2 h/day. The prevalence of obesity is high even in small cities. Dietary behavior and physical activity significantly affect weight of adolescent children.